To meet the area's growing needs, Sierra Providence East Medical Center is adding to its facility.

On Tuesday, officials with Sierra Providence East Medical Center will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the $67 million project, which is expected to add 145,000 square feet to the existing hospital.

The expansion, expected to be completed by 2014, will add a four-story second building that will have 30 medical beds and 30 surgical beds. The expansion will also add 12 beds to the cardiovascular intensive-care unit at the hospital's main building and add 11 beds to emergency department, also in the main building.

Additional rooms will be used as classrooms, a cafe and administrative offices.

REPORTER

Alex Hinojosa

The hospital, at 3280 Joe Battle, is owned by Tenet Healthcare Corp., and officials had anticipated expanding it in 2016.

Increasing emergency-care numbers prompted officials to look into expansions sooner, said Ashley Tantimonaco, a spokeswoman for the hospital. In August, officials with Tenet Healthcare Corp. approved the expansion.

Sally Hurt, chief executive officer of Sierra Providence East Medical Center, said a majority of the patients are members of the military or residents of East El Paso who now have the option of receiving care nearby.

"A lot of it has to do with the growth of the area, and I think there's a lot to be said about the reputation of the Sierra Providence Health Network," Hurt said. "And because it's in East El Paso, residents don't have to drive Downtown for care."

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In 2012, the hospital had about 50,000 visits to its emergency room and served about 7,000 patients. That year, about 1,800 babies were born at Sierra Providence East Medical Center.

According to the 2010 Census, the East Side is home to more than 188,000 residents and will continue to grow. The area's population is expected to increase by 300,000 by 2025, according to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

East Side city Rep. Dr. Michiel Noe, who is on the General Board of Trustees at the hospital, said the expansion is needed and he expects it will also bring an economic boost to the area.

"The hospital has been overwhelmed since it opened," Noe said. "And it's going to get worse as the growth continues. This expansion is essential because it will double the number of beds and will create several hundred jobs. It's something that the East Side needs."

Currently, the hospital has between 600 and 700 employees, including more than 300 doctors.

Once the expansion is complete, Hurt anticipates that the hospital will need about 400 more employees, including doctors and nurses.

While the expansion will bring much needed healthcare services to the area, Noe said, he wants to see more pediatric-care facilities in the area as well.

"Right now, we have a great obstetrics and intensive care unit," Noe said. "But we need additional pediatricians in the area to help take care of the babies once they become children. Right now, we do have some of those services (at the hospital), but it's limited, and most of the patients are transferred out to other hospitals."

Those services are needed, Noe said, because of the area's expected growth and incoming businesses.

In September, Carmike Cinemas announced plans to build a movie theater near Montana Avenue and Joe Battle Boulevard The theater is expected to open by fall 2013.

Cinemark also plans to build a 14-screen movie theater in the area, at Montana and Rich Beem Boulevard.

Because of the anticipated growth, Hurt added, this isn't the only expansion the hospital will undergo.

"It was designed so that additional buildings can be added toward the back of the main tower," Hurt said. "We are also looking into plans to build an emergency-care center in Horizon City."